Creating a modern environment for businesses to start up and grow has always been a priority for the Caerphilly County Borough Council.

The authority has successfully accessed more than £1.5m funding for financial support for business. This financial support is in the form of discretionary grant schemes for a range of business development projects and can also help towards starting a business.

The eligibility criteria can include creation or safeguarding of jobs. These grants are available to support new and existing SMEs and can be available to businesses that are moving into or expanding within Caerphilly county borough, particularly those that are in the manufacturing sector.

The council's business development team, based at Tredomen Business and Technology Centre, Ystrad Mynach, provides a range of assistance for local businesses and entrepreneurs. The team has a network of advice, from finding the right property to finding the right ICT equipment and trying out the latest technologies. For Start-up businesses there is a range of incubator units and small workshops throughout Caerphilly county borough, from Rhymney in the north to Risca in the south. The serviced office accommodation at Tredomen Business Park also has modular units suited to businesses in the technology-based sectors.

For the growing businesses there is help potentially available from marketing through to ICT applications and help with purchasing capital equipment. The council's on-going Capital building programme ensures that there is a range of quality premises available for a variety of purposes.

Individuals and businesses are encouraged to get in touch to see if they are eligible for grant assistance, and find out how the business development team can help to improve their working environment in the future.

Contact the business development team on 01443 866222 or e-mail business@caerphilly.gov.uk or visit our website www.caerphilly.gov.uk/business

This is from the European Objective One Programme's European Regional Development Fund, the National Assembly's Local Regeneration Fund and Caerphilly county borough council.